Effects of Hydromethanol Extract of Stem Bark of Anacardium occidentale on Gross and Histopathological changes Associated with Experimental Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus Infection in Chickens

J.N. Omeke, I. Onyema, P.C. Ugwu, D.C. Eze, J.I. Ihedioha, A.O. Anaga, W.S. Ezema and J.O.A. Okoye

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydromethanol stem bark extract of Anacardium occidentale on the clinical and pathologic manifestations of velogenic Newcastle disease virus infection in chickens. Materials and Methods: Two hundred chickens were randomly assigned to 8 groups (Groups 1-8) comprising 25 birds in each group. At 6 weeks of age chickens in groups 1, 2 and 3 were each drenched with 1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight of hydromethanol stem bark extract of Anacardium occidentale, respectively (prophylactic groups) for 7 days. All the chickens in groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 were later inoculated with velogenic Newcastle disease virus intramuscularly. On observation of clinical signs on day 2 post infection, chickens in groups 4, 5 and 6 were each drenched with 1000, 500, 250 mg/kg body weight of hydromethanol stem bark extract of Anacardium occidentale, respectively (therapeutic groups) for 7 days. Group 7 was infected and not treated while group 8 was uninfected and untreated. The birds were weighed before and after treatment. Results: There was significant (p<0.05) reduction in weight and variation in the gross, histopathological changes and mortality patterns. Conclusion: It can be concluded that hydromethanol bark extract of Anacardium occidentale, can reduce the lesion and mortality in chickens infected with velogenic Newcastle disease virus infection.

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